Eighth Annual Treasuring Our Kids Fundraiser a Tremendous Success

Honorary Chairperson Joe Moylan poses with new athletic shoes that were custom-made and personalized with Joe's uniform number 10.

Honorary Chairperson Joe Moylan poses with new athletic shoes that were custom-made and personalized with Joe's uniform number 10. (Posted by Colleen Kisel, Community Contributor)

Community Contributor Colleen Kisel

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) recently hosted its Eighth Annual "Grand Masquerade for a Grand Cause" Fundraiser. The mission of the Orland Park-based non-profit organization is to provide comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children who have been diagnosed with cancer by providing gifts from a treasure chest.

The nearly 300 people gathered at Palos Country Club in Orland Park on April 8th witnessed a remarkable evening that included a delicious plate dinner and live musical entertainment along with chances to win exciting prizes through silent and live auctions and raffles. The final tally showed the Grand Masquerade for a Grand Cause event raised more than $48,000 to benefit childhood cancer patients.

The evening's agenda overflowed with memorable moments beginning with Emcees Giuliano and Maureen Cipolla's welcoming words. The couple entertained attendees throughout the busy evening and kept everyone focused on the positive impact of the Foundation's support of childhood cancer patients. Honorary Chairperson and Tinley Park resident Joe Moylan and his family were presented with custom shoes created by Astrotorf Customs and a Chicago Cubs jersey while Joe's mother Flavia and father Michael expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the Foundation's services and urged attendees to continue their valuable support.

Throughout the evening, the words and actions of all those present reflected the Foundation's gratitude for the loyal support it has received as well as the incredible strength and courage of the children and families who are battling childhood cancer.

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 12,500 young cancer patients each month in 18 states across the nation. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Ms. Kisel discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 24th anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation's web site at www.treasurechest.org.

Photo caption: Brad Torf (left) of Astrotorf Customs, Honorary Chairperson Joe Moylan and Treasure Chest Foundation Board member Jose Rodriguez pose with Joe's new athletic shoes that were custom-made by Brad Torf, who also personalized the shoes by adding Joe's uniform number 10.

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